Commode



' UNITED STATES I PATENT OFFICE.

LUOIA'N B. ROBB, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

CQMMODE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 372.237, dated Qctober 25, 1887.

Application filed-May 21, 1887; Serial No. 238,943. (No model.)

- use insures the most effectual ventilation of the apparatus. Said commode consists of an outer shell or casing, usually made of three sections placed one 'upon the other,'the two lower sections serving as steps, that permit a person ascending to the seat, which latter isseen red to the top of the upper section. This seat has a suitable lid, the opening of which allows the exerements to drop directly into a receiving-chamber, which is open both at top and bottomand is somewhat less in diameter than the casing, in order that an air-space may be formed between said chamber and easing, the base-plate of the latter being imperforate, except where a neck and wastepipe are located. Thiscasing-base is filled with sand or other cheap and non combustible absorbent that will readily take up the urine, the upper surface of said bed being somewhat above the open bottom of the receiving-chamber, which latter stands upon feet or other suitable sup ports. The entire apparatus is mounted upon a furnace, within which a fire is built at suitable intervals for the purpose of evaporating the urine and drying the excreta preparatory to burning thelatter, as hereinafter more fully described.

In the annexed drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved commode, a portion of the lower step of the same being broken off. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the apparatus, a fire being seen in the same. Fig. 3 is p a side elevation of the receivingchamber de tached from the outer shell or casing. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section of the commode, taken at the line 2 z of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical section through the closed doors of the casing and receiving-chamber.

A represents a shallow furnace having a firedoor, 13, which is so fastened as not to be readily opened, said furnace being arranged to support the lower section, 0, of the outer shell or casing. This section, like the others composing the casing, is preferably made of cast-iron, and has a sloping base-plate, D, a short vertical neck, E, and a waslepipe, F, which latter may communicate with a sewer or other outlet. Section 0 preferably supports a horizontal diaphragm, G, the outer or front portion of which, 9, serves as the first-step of the commode. Mounted upon this diaphragm is another section, H, the upper plate of which has a forward extension, h, that constitutes the second step. Section H carries the third or uppersection, I, to the top of which is fastened an ordinary privy-seat, J, having a lid or cover, K,-hinged thereto at k. Projecting laterally from this upper section isa neck, j, to which is attached a pipe, L, that leads into a chimney, M, the kitchen-chimney being preferred, as previously stated. N is a door on the outside of the second section, H, said door being secured in such a manner as not to be readily opened.

Fitted within the sectional casing or shellis a receiving-chamber whose upper portion, 0, is about vertical, while its lower portion, 0, flares forwardly, in order that it may pass in under the steps of the commode, and thus increase the capacity of the chamber. Furthermore, this chamber is open both at top and bottom and is so fitted within the casing as not to comein contact with the base-plate D of the same. In the drawings this elevation of the chamber is effected by feet 0 0; but the invention is not limited to such supports. Chamber O Ohas a fire-door,P,in line with the door N of the second section of the casing, as seen in Fig. 5. It is preferred to place a vertical partition on each side of the inner door, P, so as to form a pocket, R, to contain sand, S, for a purpose that will presently appear.

T is an air'space between the outer casing and receiving-chamber, andU is a bed of sand at the bottom of the latter. Diaphragm G is so arranged as to prevent any passage of fire and smoke into the second section, H, except where the fine V occurs, and a similar arrangement of the upper plate, h, of said section causes the products of combustion to pass through the flue V before entering the upper section, I. The operation of this fire-commode is as follows: In fitting up the apparatus the lower section, 0, is filled with sand to a suitable level above the bottom of receivingchamber 0 0, but not so high as to run down the neck E, the pocket Rbeing also filled with sand, as at S, to prevent leakage of fecal matter through the inner door, I, and thence out at the other door, N. Waste-pipe F is connected to a sewer or other outlet, and the ventilating-pipe L is applied to the collarj, so-as to establish a communication between the commode and flue M. Finally, the doors EN are securely closed to prevent them being tampered with. These precautions having been adopted, the commode is used the same as an ordinary privy, the lid or flap K first being opened to permit access to the seat J, after a person has ascended the steps (7 h of the apparatus. The excrements are then discharged directly into the receivingchamher O O, and are deposited upon the sand bed U,whioh bed takes up the urine until the sand becomes completely saturated, and then the surplus urine flows off through the waste-pipe F. This action continues while the chamber is being gradually filled with excremcnts, all odors from the latter, and also from the absorbent bed U, being constantly and automatically drawn off by the draft of the kitchenchimney M. Consequently the commode cannot occasioira nuisance in any room within which it is located. Before the receivingchamber is completely filled the lid K is closed, the doorB opened, and a fire is kindled in the furnace A for the purpose of evaporating the urine from the bed U and drying the excreta within said chamber. During this operation the products of combustion first traverse the neck E and enter the lower section, 0; but they cannot escape from the latter directly into the second section, H, on account of the manner in which the diaphragm G is arranged. Therefore the fire and smoke must travel back to the due V, and then travel diagonally upward and forward to reach the other flue, \V, from which point another diagonal but backward route is necessary before the products of combustion escape at the outlet j. It is apparent this circuitous passage of fire and smoke causes a thorough drying of the exorcments, and when this result has been obtained the outer door, N, is opened, the sand, S, emptied from the pocket R, and the inner door, I, is also opened. Fire is then started at the bottom of the excrements, and at the top of the same, if desired, and is kept up until said excrements are burned to ashes, in which condition they can be taken out of the commode and occasion no more nuisance than the cleaning of an ordinary stove or range. The various doors are now closed, the pocket R recharged with sand, and the commode is again ready for use; but the bed U is never disturbed, as itsabsorbent properties are restored the moment the urine is evaporated therefrom. It is the intention to keep the lid K normally closed, either by weights, springs, or other appliances; but if it should be accidentally left open there would be no escape of noxious gases from the commode, because of the natural upward draft of the chimney.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination, in a commode, of an outer casing orshell, an inner receiving-chant ber open at top and bottom, an air-space surrounding said chamber, an absorbent bed at the bottom thereof, an exit-pipe leading from said air-space, and means for drying or burning the contents of the commode, as described.

2. The combination, in a commode, of a casing or shell composed of a series of superimposed sections that constitute steps leadingu p to the seat, a receiving-chamber located within said casing, a set of partitions and lines that cause the products of combustion to circulate around the receiving-chamber, and means for drying or burning the contents of the commode, substantially as herein described.

3. A commode consisting of the furnace A B, lower casing-section, C DE, diaphragm G, intermediate section, H, upper section, I, exit j, receiving-chamber O 0', air-space T, and lines V \V, said casing and chamber being provided, respectively, with doors N P, for the purpose described.

In testimony whereofl affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LUGIAN B. ROBE.

Witnesses:

J AMES H. LAYMAN,

SimrL. S. CARPENTER. 

